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U.S. Department of Energy
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Catalytic composite and process for mercaptan sweetening

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7017198

This patent describes an improvement in a method for treating a sour petroleum distillate containing mercaptans comprising contacting the distillate in the presence of an oxidizing agent with a catalytic composite effective in oxidizing the mercaptans to disulfides. The improvement comprises a catalytic composite comprising a metal chelate and an onium compound selected from the group consisting of phosphonium, arsonium, stibonium, oxonium and sulfonium compounds dispersed on an adsorbent support. The onium compound having the formula (R{sup {prime}}(R){sub y}M){sup {plus}}X{sup {minus}} wherein R is a hydrocarbon radical containing up to about 20 carbon atoms and selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl, R{sup {prime}} is a straight chain alkyl radical containing from about 5 to about 20 carbon atoms, M is phosphorous, arsenic, antimony, oxygen or sulfur, X is hydroxide or a hallide selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine and iodine, y is 2 when M is oxygen of sulfur and y is 3 when M is phosphorous, arsenic or antimony.

Assignee:
UOP, Des Plaines, IL
Patent Number(s):
US 4897180; A
Application Number:
PPN: US 7303197A
OSTI ID:
7017198
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English